Hong Kong’s leader says her government is closely watching a nearby Chinese nuclear power plant following a news report that it might be leaking. The plant’s operators have released few details, but nuclear experts say based on their brief public statement, the facility might be suffering a leak of gas from fuel rods inside a reactor.
Government data showed radiation levels in Hong Kong were normal on Monday night. Data from the Hong Kong Observatory showed radiation was still normal. A French company that helps to manage the facility in Taishan in Guangdong province said it was dealing with a “performance issue.” It said the facility was operating within safe limits. Nuclear experts said based on their brief public statement, the facility might be suffering a leak of gas from fuel rods inside a reactor. Following a report by CNN that Framatome told American authorities the power plant 135km west of Hong Kong might be leaking. The Taishan plant, which began commercial operation in December 2018, is owned by China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group and Electricite de France, the majority owner of Framatome. A second reactor began operating in September 2019.
